Everyone has a number for this, and the numbers disagree. The reason is that there are two different times: when check-in closes, and when you should arrive. Treat the first as a deadline and the second as your plan.
The usual advice
Heathrow's own guidance is two hours before a UK or European flight and three hours before a long-haul one. That is a good default at most airports, including the ones we cover in Australia.
- Short flights (domestic, or short-haul within a region): about two hours.
- Long-haul and international: about three hours.
When check-in actually closes
Airlines close check-in much later than that, and the rules differ by airline and by flight. Qantas, for example, closes domestic check-in 30 minutes before departure and international check-in 90 minutes before. It asks you to check in by 45 minutes and two hours respectively. Other airlines set their own times, and some use different times on different aircraft, so look at your own booking.
Arriving at the closing time is a gamble. A long bag drop queue or a slow security line is enough to turn a calm morning into a missed flight, and a closed check-in desk is not something the airline will reopen for you.
When to add more time
Allow an extra half hour or more when:
- It is a school holiday, a long weekend or a Monday morning. Queues grow at every stage.
- You are checking in a bag. Bag drop is often the slowest step.
- You are travelling with children or anyone who needs help. Everything takes longer.
- The airport is large or the walk to the gate is long. Heathrow and Sydney are both big, and Melbourne's terminals are a long way apart.
- You are driving and parking. Add the time to park and reach the terminal, and book a space ahead if you can.
- It is your first time at that airport. You will lose minutes finding things.
A hotel makes the time easier to hit
Most of the stress of arriving on time comes from the journey, not the airport. If your flight is early, or the drive to the airport is long or unpredictable, sleeping nearby takes the journey out of the morning. Then the question is only how long it takes to walk or ride from your room to check-in, and our short lists give you that time for each stay.
- Find a stay for an early flight.
- See why staying at Melbourne Airport before an early flight can be worth it.
- Or pick your airport from the home page and choose your terminal.